San Lorenzo Valley Post

09/15/2026

The county is offering a FREE Basic Composting Workshop Sunday, Sept. 20 at Highlands Park from 1-3pm. Learn how to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost that enriches your soil, helps your garden thrive and keeps organic material out of the landfill.

♻️ Bonus: GreenWaste Recovery customers who complete a workshop are eligible to receive a free backyard composting bin or worm bin!

Sign up at http://goo.gl/Fw6BaK

County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure County of Santa Cruz

09/14/2026

Good news for San Lorenzo Valley Water District customers: the CZU Fire Surcharge has reached its $5 million goal and will no longer appear on your monthly water bill.

The surcharge was created after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire to help pay for rebuilding the water infrastructure that was lost. The district collected a little more than the target, and that extra money is coming back to you as a Fire Surcharge Credit on a future bill. You don't need to do anything to get it.

"This milestone would not have been possible without the support and patience of our customers. We sincerely thank you for standing with the District and our community throughout the recovery process," the district said in a statement.

09/14/2026

Highway 1 fully reopens along Big Sur coast as fire containment increases.

“Containment continues to increase as crews secure and strengthen established control lines around the Plaskett Fire. Resources continue mop-up, patrol, suppression repair and monitoring of remaining heat within the fire area,” CAL FIRE said in a Plaskett Fire update Sunday.

Highway 1 is fully open again along the Big Sur coast as the Timber and Plaskett fires both grow more contained.

09/14/2026

Last night's structure fire on Vista Terrace north of Boulder Creek. Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department, with assistance from Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Dept and CAL FIRE CZU. No reported injuries.

09/14/2026

The Ben Lomond Transfer Station Improvement Project is underway. Work will modernize the facility and improve the customer experience. The station will remain open during construction.

Improvements include:
- Installation of a new 1,000-square-foot canopy over the Household Hazardous Waste collection area to reduce stormwater runoff.
- Construction of a 14,000-square-foot canopy over the existing recycling area to protect operations from weather and improve working conditions.
- Environmental improvements in spill containment.
- Structural and electrical improvements throughout the transfer station to meet modern safety standards.

The project will to take one year and includes upgrades to extend the life of the facility and support more efficient recycling and waste handling operations.

Customers will encounter temporary traffic pattern changes, active construction areas, and occasional rerouting as work progresses.

County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure County of Santa Cruz

09/13/2026

A monthly outlook published Thursday by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center gives a 75% chance that El Niño will become “historic” from October to December.

Temperatures along the equator in the Pacific Ocean are still rising.

09/12/2026

Now at the Boulder Creek Library: The Living Exhibition, Chapter One is a collection of small-scale, original watercolors and block prints by local Boulder Creek artist María Ayllón.

María is a professional watercolor artist, printmaker, and instructor at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center. She paints intentionally on an intimate scale, pairing her pieces with carefully sourced vintage frames to create unique, self-contained objects of art. The work explores the stillness, fog, and native ecology of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The exhibit will show through October 31.

Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Boulder Creek, CA San Lorenzo Valley

09/12/2026

Here are all the fun-filled details for Ben Lomond Scottish Day next Saturday, Sept. 19!

The Ben Lomond Village Alliance brings back its 2nd annual celebration of Scottish culture and Ben Lomond's Highland heritage at Ben Lomond County Park, 1-5pm. It's FREE, it's family-friendly, and last year more than 500 people turned out - most of them in kilts.

What's happening:
🎻 Live Celtic music with Jay Salter & Celtic Circle, plus the Community Music School All-Stars
🦅 Free-flying falconry demos with The 3 Falconeers - get up close with hawks, falcons and owls
💃 Highland dancing in full tartan regalia from the San Jose School of Highland Dance
⚔️ NEW: Swordfighting demonstrations from Davenriche European Martial Arts School inc. longsword, sidesword and dagger, Outlander style
🐑 NEW: Live sheepdog working demonstrations throughout the day
🕺 Community ceilidh (kay-lee) dancing with Haggis & Avocado. Anyone can join in, no experience needed!
🍪 Shortbread contest & tasting, with awards at 5pm
🍺 Craft beer from Steel Bonnet Brewing, pours from Roberts' Ranch Vineyards, cider from Santa Cruz Cider
🍟 Sausage rolls, fish & chips and savories from Cheeky Villain, plus pizza, fresh lemonade and Marianne's Ice Cream
🎨 Kids' activities, Celtic crafts, crafter and info tents along the San Lorenzo River — and a silent auction (the BLVA's biggest fundraiser of the year)

📍 Ben Lomond County Park, 9525 Mill St, Ben Lomond
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 19 | 1-5pm | Free

Find some plaid, wear a hat, bring a lawn chair and grab some shade under the sycamores. Take home a commemorative glass or T-shirt while you're at it!

Full story from the San Lorenzo Valley Post

A Celebration of Music and Dance By Julie Horner On Saturday, Sept. 19 the Ben Lomond Village Alliance presents the second annual Ben Lomond Scottish Day at Ben Lomond County Park on Mill Street. Held from 1-5pm, the free community festival celebrates Scottish culture and Ben Lomond’s rich Scottis...

09/11/2026

A Boulder Creek shop is celebrating 23 years in business. 🦋
Air and Fire, A Mystical Bazaar is marking its anniversary with a raffle for a $100 gift certificate this weekend.

Customers get a raffle ticket with each purchase and an extra ticket for every $25 spent. Online orders count too. The drawing is set for 7 pm Sunday, Sept. 13.

Air and Fire: A Mystical Bazaar is celebrating 23 years of its brick-and-mortar shop in Boulder Creek, and the business is marking the milestone with a customer raffle and free shipping on online orders through Sunday, Sept. 13. “We are so honored to be celebrating 23 years of our brick and mortar...